Syria forces 'kill nine protestors'

At least nine people have been killed when Syrian security forces opened fire on protests around the country, activists said.

The clashes indicate neither side appears able to tip the scales in the two-month uprising.

President Bashar Assad’s forces have waged a relentless crackdown on the opposition, but protesters continue to face down security forces with marches seeking to break his authoritarian rule.

Human rights groups say more than 850 people have been killed in the clashes and clampdowns.

Witnesses reported protests after Friday prayers today in the central cities of Homs and Hama, as well as the Mediterranean ports of Banias and Latakia.

In Banias, one witness said security forces dispersed protesters with gunfire and sticks.

Syria has banned foreign journalists.

Last week, mass arrests and heavy security kept crowds below previous levels seen, suggesting Assad’s sweeping campaign of intimidation was working. But the marches today suggested that opposition forces could be trying to regroup.

Organisers of today’s protests said at least seven people were killed in Homs, one in the Damascus suburb of Daraya and one in the village of Sanamein in southern Syria.

Syria is coming under increasing pressure to end the crackdown, but the government has brushed off the criticism and new US sanctions that have targeted Assad and senior aides.

US President Barack Obama said that Assad should lead his country to democracy or “get out of the way”.

Syria’s official news agency said Obama’s speech amounted to “incitement.” Syria has blamed the unrest on armed thugs and foreign agitators.